The Washtenaw County connection worked well for the New England Patriots on Sunday. Former University of Michigan quarterback Tom Brady threw four touchdown passes, including one to 1997 Saline High School graduate Chris Baker, as the Patriots clinched the AFC East title with a 35-7 victory against Jacksonville.

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MORE NFL: • The Indianapolis Colts no longer need to worry about being perfect. Their fans aren't happy about that, Kevin O'Neal writes for the Indianapolis Star.

• Bill Cowher may be headed to Tampa Bay to coach the Buccaneers, the Tampa Bay Tribune reports.

• Former Michigan quarterback Chad Henne had the game in his hands, but one bad pass is why the Miami Dolphins lost on Sunday, columnist Greg Cote writes for the Miami Herald.

• Yes, the San Francisco 49ers beat the Detroit Lions on Sunday, but that doesn't impress San Francisco Chronicle columnist Gwen Knapp.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL • The Urban Meyer watch continues at Florida and across the rest of the college football world. On Sunday, Meyer said he expects to continue coaching the Gators, the Los Angeles Times reports.

• More Meyer. Stewart Mandel at SI.com says while Meyer hasn't done anything wrong, much has changed for Florida.

• USC may have some trouble with the NCAA in its future, but you can't get USC athletic director Mike Garrett to talk about it, columnist T.J. Simers found.

HIGH SCHOOLS • Looking for some holiday basketball tournaments? Rich Rezler breaks down the local tournaments at AnnArbor.com.